Ray Allen Cook

Ray Allen Cook, of Waukesha, died Friday, February 21, 2014 at Waukesha Memorial Hospital at the age of 80. He was born in Unity, Wisconsin on August 5, 1933, the son of Sewell A. and Marlea B. (nee Thayer) Cook. On June 23, 1956 he married the former Nancy Court in New London, Wisconsin. Ray graduated from Unity High School and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He began his science education teaching career at P.J. Jacobs Senior High School in Stevens Point. He continued his education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, graduating with a Master's Degree in Science and Education. Ray taught biology at Brookfield Central High School from 1959 to 1980 and served as chairman of the Science Department from 1977 to 1979. He was presented with the National Association of Biology Teachers Honors Award as an outstanding biology teacher of Wisconsin in 1966. From 1968 to 1970 he taught teacher training students at Kenyatta College near Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa. In 1980 Ray began teaching Human Anatomy and Physiology to Registered Nursing students at Waukesha County Technical College. In 1987 he was honored as the College's Industrial Occupations Division Instructor of the Year. He retired from teaching in 1993.

Ray enjoyed many outdoor activities including working on the family hobby farm. The woodworking projects he made as gifts will be treasured by family for years to come. Serving others through his church, Interfaith Caregivers and many other ways was a large part of his life. Ray was recognized by the Eli Lilly Company and the Joslin Diabetes Center in 1996 for successfully living with Type 1 diabetes for more than half a century. His life is an encouragement to many managing this disease.

Ray will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 57 years, Nancy, of Waukesha and their three children, Cindy (Dr. John ) Kirkpatrick of Appleton; Randall (Ann) Cook of Waukesha and Dr. Perry (Jean) Cook of Stevens Point. He is the proud grandfather of Kelli (Ronaldo) Ghenov and their son Judah, Ray's great-grandson, Doylestown, PA; Dr. Andrew Kirkpatrick,Omaha,NE; David Kirkpatrick, Edinburgh,Scotland; Erin Cook, Milwaukee; Jason (Melissa) Cook, Wauwatosa; Shannon (Alex) Nykamp, Urbandale,IA; Danielle, Connor and Stephanie Cook, all of Stevens Point. He is further survived by his brother, Dr. Robert (Anna) Cook, Green Bay along with other relatives and friends.

Ray's greatest loves were the Lord Jesus and his family.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 28, 2014 from 9AM until the 11AM memorial service at First United Methodist Church, 121 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Waukesha. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the church are appreciated. Randle- Dable Brisk Funeral, Cremation and Preplanning services is honored to serve the family. For further information, please call the funeral home at 262-547-4035 or visit our website at www.waukeshafunerals.com for directions or to leave the family an online tribute message.